Robbers injured in attack on two banks

Robbers struck in Ikorodu yesterday on the outskirt of Lagos, attacking two first generation banks on Ijede Road.

The early morning attack took place at a bank in Omitoro Town, few minutes after the bank opened for business.

Eye witnesses said the robbers, who were carrying heavy machine guns, took many customers on queue at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) by surprise as they made for the main door without anybody suspecting them.

It was gathered that they succeeded in over-powering the plain clothes men and corporate security guards.

Witnesses said the robbers blasted the security door with dynamites and made away with several millions of Naira.

It was gathered that they scared the people away by firing into the air before escaping in a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) snatched from its owner, towards Ijede before the arrival of the police.

Several customers ran for safety and some were injured in the process. Others had to climb a diesel tank and jumping over a barbed wire fence.

The robbers thereafter attacked another bank, but met a stiff resistance from the police, who had stationed themselves in readiness for them.

The police, it was said, exchanged heavy gun shots with them and prevented them from entering the bank.

Having been frustrated by the superior firing power of the police, the robbers drove to the nearby Area ‘N’ Police Command but again met with resistance from the police who had placed themselves on alert in readiness for attack.

The robbers, according to Police spokesperson, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), lost two of their operation vehicles, which went up in flames during the exchange of gun fire. Some of them were injured before escaping through the lagoon with their loot in a speed boat.

Nwosu also confirmed that the robbery incident at the first bank was successful; the second was foiled.

He, however, could not give the figure of the amount lost to the robbers, saying investigation was still on-going.

According to him, no arrest was made so far and that there was no casualty recorded.

“Several customers ran for safety and some were injured in the process. Others had to climb a diesel tank and jumping over a barbed wire fence”